Bluetooth help!

[Romeol]

I bought one of those BillionTon Bluetooth dongles on eBay that came with some Bluesoleil software or whatever, but it won't work. I have no way to connect to the computer with my T3 (which I may say, I got for $50 :)). I've read a few things online but they don't help since I have no idea what's going on! Could anyone walk me through on how to connect to my Tungsten T3 and my TG50 to my Windows PC with the dongle?

Thanks!

[npbeers]

You have a windows PC? Connecting to it via BT is much easier said than done. XP does not have a very good implementation of BT support (even when you install third party drivers). Unfortunatly I do not think there is an easy step by step recipie.... You're best bet is to try making sense of the tecnical directions that you found elsewhere..... sorry I could not be of more help....

[Colormeweb]

Bluetooth setup guide here:
http://www.whizoo.com/bt_setup/

[pgenie]

Yeah! whizoo's guide has helped lot of folks out there!!!

[Romeol]

Yeah, I've tried that page, but I can't get it to work properly. When I install the BlueSoleil software and run it, I put in the dongle and it doesn't read it with the program. It'll come up in USB devices but it's thinking that it's a network plug that's not connected. So far, I've been able to do nothing. It's been a pain to not be able to even do the simplest things from that site.

[Papageoff]

Make sure you have internet connection sharing enabled for the Ethernet connection you use for the 'net. It's been a while since I last played with this, but I remember that doing that allowed the "virtual network cable" to "plug in." I thought it was preatty stupid.

[Romeol]

I don't think it's just that though. . . Before I want to surf, I want to be able to sync via BT!

[Papageoff]

Well, on the PC do you have the virtual serial port set up? That is how the Palm Syncs. It doesn't use the pim sync or whatever profile. Also, make sure you set the palm to use the "BT to PC" (names change) connection and have HOTSYNC on the PC set to use... I think Local-- it may be network. It is all fuzzy. Enable them all and disable one at time to see what stops it from working. If you are paired, that should take care of Hotsync. That was the easy part for me. Your mileage may vary.

[Papageoff]

How to from Palm:
Step one: Pair the devices.

Configure Bluetooth HotSync

Now your PC and handheld will not need to authenticate each other before they connect. Once you've set up the trusted pair, you can tell your handheld to synchronize with your PC:

After following the instructions in Knowledge Library 14631, you should be back on the Setup Devices screen. If you're not there, launch the Prefs application and select Bluetooth. Select Setup Devices.

Select PC Setup (you may not see this option).

Select Bluetooth HotSync.

The next screen tells you about the process you're about to undergo. Select Next.

Next, your handheld searches for available Bluetooth PCs. From the list, select your PC and select OK.

On your PC, you'll need to create a virtual serial port. Follow the instructions that came with your PC or the Bluetooth card. After creating the virtual serial port on your PC, select Next.

Launch HotSync Manager on your PC. In the Windows System Tray, right-click on the HotSync Manager icon, and select Setup.

Click on the Local tabl.
From the Serial Port menu, select the virtual serial port you created earlier.

Click OK. On your handheld, tap Next.

On your PC, right-click the HotSync Manager icon in the system tray again. Make sure Local Serial is selected. On your handheld, select Next.

On the next screen, there will be a button for Launch HotSync. This will initiate a HotSync operation with your PC.

[Romeol]

Thanks for that, but I can't figure out how to get the PDA to find the device. I have installed the things from the CD from the dongle and it's plugged into a USB port, but when I open the bluesoleil software, I don't see an IP for the dongle and I don't think it's broadcasting a signal. Anything on that?

Can anyone recommend something to buy that will DEFINITELY work with Win2kPro?

[Romeol]

Yeah, just to clear this up, (sorry to be such a hassle) I have no idea how to do any of this stuff so if you would, please tell me step by step as if I had just bought the dongle and not installed anything yet.

Thanks!

[Papageoff]

Okay, is there a light blinking on the dongle? If not, it isn't on.

At any time have you seen the word WIDCOMM? If so, that is a very generic driver for bluetooth devices. It is a common driver, linksys used it for their BT dongle. As such, what I recomend you do is download their owner's manual for the USBBT100. It will take you through the steps to set everything up. I havn't played with this in months, and even then it was confusing. This will work with 2kPro. You just have to get everything set up. Read through that manual and see if that can't clear it up.

www.linksys.com

[Papageoff]

That is the same dongle I had just a different brand name. The software should be Widcomm, so you should be fine... once you figure it all out.